A 'miracle' in our public schools

Published 5:18 pm, Thursday, January 17, 2013

Amidst all the rancor in public education here in Stamford, contracts and budgets, testing and gaps, there exists a fine example of true dedication. I have been fortunate enough to see it, although most involved in our district probably take this miracle for granted.

I speak of the custodians at our schools. Many of our schools are outdated, but still shine like proud ships waiting to be launched. The custodians' hard work in summer, without air conditioning, is unheralded. They move mountains of furniture and equipment to once again put the shine onto our schools. Come fall, winter and spring, they burnish every surface they can.

When I first got involved with a school project at Rippowam Middle School, I was told how difficult it might be to get the custodians to go along. In fact, these gentlemen have become the greatest allies of all. We have since moved mountains together. Their pride in our school and love for the kids has eclipsed anything I could have imagined.

Recent news tells us that a custodian in Newtown probably saved many lives by warning of an intruder, possibly at risk to his own life. Next time you visit your school, remember those who treat it like their own home, and who welcome your children there every day. Take a moment to appreciate their work, and to thank the custodians.

After calling the Department of Transportation a number of times, letting them know of tree debris blocking the Noroton River culvert under I-95, I was informed that the EPA has scheduled a fish ladder to be installed there. I was dumbfounded to hear this. The Noroton River empties into a mud flat known as Holly Pond. Any fish that can reach a ladder at high tide would migrate up to a silted-in river that in most places is only inches deep. Having walked in the culvert, the water depth under normal conditions is 2 inches -- max. Talk about wasting money in times like now.

Growing up, Holly Pond was a fun place to fish and boat. Once the dam gates stopped working the pond silted up and also changed the shape of that area of Cove Island. When the chance came to fix the dam and dredge the pond, the politicians couldn't agree on it.

Growing up, we used to fish in the Noroton River, and after having lived on it for 40 years, I can see it is pretty much a dead river now due to pollution and conditions.

The people who studied and approved this should be questioned on their findings and stop using taxpayers' money on useless projects